Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are investigating two separate fatal stabbings that occurred within hours of each other Monday night (December 28).
Police were called a reported stabbing on Newell-Hickory Grove Road around 9:30 p.m. where one person was found deceased outside a home. Detectives are currently investigating the incident as a homicide, and have not released additional information such as victim or suspect names.
Shortly after responding to the first stabbing, police were called to Ledson Court, near Mount Holly Road and Interstate 485, for a reported domestic incident. Officers found a victim inside the home, dead of an apparent stab wound. On Tuesday morning, CMPD announced that 53-year-old James Alexander Jackson had been arrested for the death of 51-year-old John Paul Cousar.
Charlotte has seen a rise in violent incidents in recent weeks. Aside from the two fatal stabbings Monday, three police officers from surrounding departments were killed in the line of duty within a span of two weeks.
"We've got to find a way, not just as a police department, but as a community, to put an end to senseless violence," said a CMPD spokesperson. "There aren't the kinds of conversations we should be having."
Police encourage anyone with information about the stabbings to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Witnesses can call 704-432-TIPS to speak directly with homicide detectives.
Photo: Getty Images